1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Split Second. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
The play takes place on July 4th in Manhattan. Val, the main character of the play struggles with being able to ignore the hateful slurs and comments made by the person who is arresting, Willis. Ultimately he ends up shooting the unarmed citizen.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? Be careful when citing the intrusion, it may not be where you initially think it is.
The intrusion begins when he lies to Parker; that is when the internal conflict begins essentially.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
The unique factor is that this occurs on the 4th of July which is supposed to display independence.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will Val confess?
5. Use Val to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what Val wants (NOTE: In Split Second the wants of Val are in flux and he is being swayed by his father, his wife, his friend, and his colleague at work. His wants seem to change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that the character encounters.
Val most definitely struggles with "Me against individual". Willis is the biggest antagonist in the play and he is the source for all issues with Val. I believe that because of this, Val will begin to deal with "Me against self" as the fact that he killed an unarmed person out of frustration will eat him alive.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Split Second.
The most theatrical moment in Split Second is hands down when Val shoots Willis.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Split Second. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
The title of the play helps explain the dramatic situation as one second Willis is trying to get on Val's nerves to another second a bullet being shot in Willis ultimately shutting him up, in a "split second". Great imagery for the play would be the gun as it represents the weapon that the whole play is essentially revolved around. Also, the blood bleeding from Willis would be great imagery as it symbolizes why you should treat everyone with respect and if you don't then you may receive consequences.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Split Second.
Police brutality Justice Racism
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Split Second?
Family is actually a very big part of this play as the audience could infer because right after Val shoots Willis, he calls his Father and wife to see what he should do and they both offer their own perspectives of the steps he should take.
The play takes place on July 4th in Manhattan. Val, the main character of the play struggles with being able to ignore the hateful slurs and comments made by the person who is arresting, Willis. Ultimately he ends up shooting the unarmed citizen.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? Be careful when citing the intrusion, it may not be where you initially think it is.
The intrusion begins when he lies to Parker; that is when the internal conflict begins essentially.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
The unique factor is that this occurs on the 4th of July which is supposed to display independence.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
Will Val confess?
5. Use Val to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is, dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what Val wants (NOTE: In Split Second the wants of Val are in flux and he is being swayed by his father, his wife, his friend, and his colleague at work. His wants seem to change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that the character encounters.
Val most definitely struggles with "Me against individual". Willis is the biggest antagonist in the play and he is the source for all issues with Val. I believe that because of this, Val will begin to deal with "Me against self" as the fact that he killed an unarmed person out of frustration will eat him alive.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Split Second.
The most theatrical moment in Split Second is hands down when Val shoots Willis.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Split Second. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
The title of the play helps explain the dramatic situation as one second Willis is trying to get on Val's nerves to another second a bullet being shot in Willis ultimately shutting him up, in a "split second". Great imagery for the play would be the gun as it represents the weapon that the whole play is essentially revolved around. Also, the blood bleeding from Willis would be great imagery as it symbolizes why you should treat everyone with respect and if you don't then you may receive consequences.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Split Second.
Police brutality
Justice
Racism
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Split Second?
Family is actually a very big part of this play as the audience could infer because right after Val shoots Willis, he calls his Father and wife to see what he should do and they both offer their own perspectives of the steps he should take.